Water (H20) is the most vital compound for all forms of life and the main component of Earth’s hydrosphere.This small transparent, tasteless, and odorless substance is what maintains our day-to-day life in all aspects.
Our economy. Our agriculture. And most importantly, our biology. Only 74% of the world has access to safe drinking water. In other words, two billion people do not, including low-income, poverty driven regions, which in turn are most urban and minority communities. Not only do these areas not have access to clean water, but they are also deprived of simple information.
One young, black entrepreneur that’s looking to change that narrative is Jairus Morris, the founder and CEO of SUPLMNT. Jairus took matters into his own hands once he discovered there wasn’t a brand dedicated to his peers, despite the existence of many brands in the space.
“Growing up in South Philly, no one taught me, nor anyone around me, the importance of drinking water. In most of our households, high sugar drinks such as Kool-Aid were our only source of hydration. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized the health-issues plaguing my friends and family were due to poor diet and hydration.”
His mission is to connect, educate and empower the urban communities on the significance of water hydration. The human body contains about 55% to 78% depending on the person’s age, weight and height. To function properly, the body requires between one to seven liters a day to avoid dehydration. Many factors include a person’s level of activity and the conditions of their setting (temperature, humidity, etc.). SUPLMNT collaborates with brands that make a good fit. Their water bottle itself even features components of the sneaker culture, including a rubber sole at the bottom for grip and a sneaker lace as the holding loop. The unique innovation and customization of the bottle easily attracts the demographics he’s aiming to help, all while keeping it community-driven.
“We are committed to investing a portion of our revenue towards resources for our give-back program. Our program will provide bottles and educational materials about the importance of hydration to youth groups and sports programs in urban communities; including creating hydration stations within these areas. We believe that by making drinking water cool and trendy while building partnerships with local organizations, we can have a strong impact on urban communities across the country.”
By merging style, function and community, Jairus Morris and SUPLMNT are pioneering the way the urban culture consumes water.
